1843-44 
THE LITERARY CLUB 
225 
museum of the College of Surgeons— Miss Maria 
Edgeworth. Owen had already met her at Joanna 
Baillie s, and there she had expressed a wish to see 
the collection. 
‘ Miss Edgeworth,’ Mrs. Owen writes, ‘ is very 
small — nearer my own height than anyone I ever 
met with, except, perhaps, J oanna Baillie. There is 
little to choose between us! It was evident that 
my appearance caused exactly the same thought to 
pass through Miss E.’s mind, as I was clearly not 
at all the sort of person she had expected to see.’ 
‘ On December 21,’ the diary continues, ‘ Sir 
Robert Inglis came to say that he was commis- 
sioned by the Literary Club to ask Richard to 
V become a member.’ 
Early in the following year (1844) Owen 
received a note from Sir Robert announcing his 
election into that club. 
7 Bedford Square ; February 2, 1844. 
‘ My dear Sir, — When six weeks ago I men- 
boned to you the club dinners of the Literary 
Society, and ascertained that it would be agreeable 
you to join us, I purposely abstained from adding 
'^hat, as I had thus obtained your assent, I intended 
act upon it forthwith. At the following meet- 
accordingly, I proposed you, and the Vice- 
Chancellor of England seconded you ; and I have 
bow the gratification of informing you that you 
'^ere this evening — at a full meeting, including 
VOL. I. o 
